Swimmers getting ready for Section 1A meet

The New Prague Trojan girls swim and dive team placed seventh of eight teams at the final Missota Conference meet Saturday, Oct. 26, at Shakopee West Junior High.

"We had amazing performances from our team," said Coach Jennifer Ongie-Jindra in describing her squad’s showing at the meet.

The Trojans had the most success in diving, with Britin Thomsen placing second, the team’s top finisher at the meet. Ashley Nye placed ninth and Bella Schulte 12th. Ongie-Jindra said it was a competitive diving squad.

There were also some good performances in the swimming events. Among the highlights were Jewel Luckow, who dropped four seconds in the 200 freestyle to earn a spot at the Section 1A meet.

"Jewel made her cut in the 100 backstroke early in the season, and it's great to see her make a second individual event," Ongie-Jindra said. "She dropped more time in her 100 backstroke at conference too."

Lilly Schulte dropped time in each of her events. She was the only athlete to place in the top 16 for both of her individual events.

Chanhassen won the final Missota Conference championship. Other teams, in order of finish, were Farmington, Chaska, Northfield, Shakopee, Red Wing, New Prague and Holy Angels.

"This was our last conference championship competing with these amazing teams. We will miss their camaraderie, and anxiously await next season to meet our new conference competition."

New Prague will enter the Wright County Conference next season.

The Trojan swimmers have qualified 14 swimmers for the Section 1A meet, which will be held Wednesday and Friday, Nov. 6 and 8, at the Rochester Center. This is a new location for the meet from past years. Ongie-Jindra said this is one of the larger groups the team has taken to the section meet.

"The girls have worked so hard all season, and it’s fun to finally see their hard work come to fruition," she said.